WEll I have been searching for a couple days and have found some different ideas of how to run my small system. I have never been much of a stereo guy but always had at least a sub in my my boats and some decent speakers though.

I am going to be running 4 of the Polks in the boat along with a newer sub. Getting the sub from a buddy, but am pretty sure its a 10inch Clarion open air. Also have a JL W6 at my disposal, but think that is way too much sub for me as that thing is rated i think at 600w. Not sure on its specs. The boat's Polks are running off the Clarion /4/3/2 channel amp Clarion APX400.4M is the model as of right now.
Frequency Response 20Hz ~ 20kHz
Signal Noise Ratio >95db
THD .05% all channels driven
Input Sensitivity Low Level 250mV ~ 2.5V
Input Sensitivity Speaker Level 500mV ~ 5V
Max. Power Output 380W (190 x 2)
Cont. Power Output 200W (50W x4) @.08%THD
2-Ohm Stereo Output 90 x 4 @ .8% THD
Bridged Power 190 x 2 @ .8% THD
Dimensions 2 1/8”H x 8 1/4”W x 12” L
Current Consumption @ Max Power Output 46A @ 380 Watt

Again I am not a stereo guy buit this Clarion seems to have alot of nice features. Pretty sure this is under powering the Polks a little as they are rated for 80w continuous, but again I am not a stereo guy at all so not sure how much of a benifit I would gain by upping the wattafge to them. So now here's what I would like to do. As you can tell not looking to go crazy with amps, just looking for some advice on something that will push this stuff pretty well at a decent price point. Was thinking I should be able to get one amp to push everything, but not sure that is the right decision. I have a PAC controller which I want to put in line with the sub to adjust it's level. So here are the questions I have left

Is the Clarion enough for those Polk's and should I just get a single channel to push the sub?
Or would I be better off just getting a new amp to push them all?
Can that be done if everything is running off one amp? Would the sub level be able to be adjusted on the fly without interferring with the other speakers?
Any recs on an amp for either way?

Thanks

rlivingood

10-06-2007, 12:38 AM

I've installed an Apline 4.150. Had it for two seasons and is holding up well. Small, compact, and powerful. If you need more than 50 into 4 then this is what I recommend. It can be bridged into a couple of modes or you could get the 1.1200 for any of the largest subs.

swatguy

10-06-2007, 11:59 AM

Do you know if the sub can be faded off one amp? Thanks for the info

rrbooker

10-06-2007, 12:37 PM

I would run the 4 speakers off the clarion amp and pick up a jl 500/1, or something simler, to push the w6! Or get something like this http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3959 and bridge one side for the sub and use the other 2 channels for the boat speakers.

Here is a good deal on ebay! http://cgi.ebay.com/KICKER-ZX850-4-CAR-STEREO-850-WATT-4CH-AMPLIFIER-AMP_W0QQitemZ140163418912QQihZ004QQcategoryZ39739Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

rrbooker

10-06-2007, 12:44 PM

Even this amp would make that system sound great!
http://cgi.ebay.com/KICKER-ZX650-4-CAR-AUDIO-1300-WATT-4CH-AMPLIFIER-AMP_W0QQitemZ140162719532QQihZ004QQcategoryZ39739Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

swatguy

10-06-2007, 01:05 PM

Ryan thanks for the tips and the heads up. Going probably pick the 650 up. Think that is just as good or you think the extra $50 would be well spent? Both of those seem to push pretty close to what I would need. Saw the new setup and it looks sweet. Like the amp rack idea even though I will probably never need that much. I actually lent the W6 to my cousin as I wasn't sure on if I was going to be doing a system or not in this boat, thought the W6 was going to be way too much sub for me as those things put out some sounds. But I am going to be trying the 2 subs and seeing which one fits our "style" of low key more. I just like a little. We never are cranking really. Thaks again for the info

rrbooker

10-06-2007, 02:04 PM

If you go with the 850 it always gives you room to grow! But you have to make sure you turn the gain down on the 6.5s! I would go with the w6 i've never had much luck with a free air sub, even the new JL free air subs aren't that great IMO!